Arvind Kejriwal News: Indian football is currently going through its most serious crisis. January 2026 has arrived, but 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season has not yet begun. The league has been indefinitely suspended since July 2025. This is not just about the suspension of a single tournament, but halting of dreams of thousand players, coaches, support staff, and millions of fans.
Top footballers appeal to FIFA; Kejriwal flags mismanagement, calls for transparent governance
This situation has become so dire that some of the biggest names in Indian football – national team captain Sunil Chhetri, veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, senior defender Sandesh Jhingan, and some foreign ISL players like Hugo Boumous – were forced to release a joint video on January 2, 2026, appealing directly to FIFA for intervention.
This unprecedented appeal by the players to an international body highlights the profound failure of Indian football administration and years of mismanagement. Today, players’ careers are stalled. Young talents are not getting opportunities. Several clubs are facing financial crises. Foreign players are leaving India for other leagues, while Indian players and support staff are stuck without matches, income, or any clarity about their future. Along with the ISL, the I-League and lower division competitions are also affected by this crisis.
Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, has spoken out strongly on this issue. He tweeted that Indian football is at a critical juncture, where if the right and honest decisions are not made now, the sport will be completely ruined in the coming years. He added that when players have to appeal to FIFA and the government to save the sport, it is a result of years of mismanagement and neglect. He clearly stated that the sport needs transparent governance, accountability, and respect for the players, not politics and power struggles.
Arvind Kejriwal News: Kejriwal echoes fans’ frustration as Indian football suffers from politics
Indian football stands at a critical crossroads. When players are forced to appeal to FIFA and the Government to save the game, it reflects years of mismanagement and neglect.
Sports needs transparent governance, accountability, and respect for athletes, not politics and power… https://t.co/aIdDHr4Yqd
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 3, 2026
Arvind Kejriwal’s stance reflects the sentiments of millions of fans who are disappointed and hurt. Stadiums are empty, young players are disillusioned, and a popular sport in the country seems to be falling victim to administrative politics. The question is, how long will the central BJP government continue to turn a blind eye? Will the future of the players and the country’s sports simply remain a victim of power politics?
The Indian footballers have the sympathy of the entire nation today. The players are not making any demands; they simply want the right to play and to be treated with respect. India and its passionate football fans deserve better. There is still time to rise above political power struggles and save the sport and the players, otherwise, this crisis will shatter the dreams of future generations as well.
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